| Photo by Mathurin NAPOLY on Unsplash
HARTFORD, CT — Governor Ned Lamont has announced the launch of the In-Home Safety Grant Program, which will provide grants to home health and access agencies to fund improved safety protocols and support services for their workers. This includes items such as emergency alert buttons, buddy escort systems, tracking devices, safety training, risk-scoring tools, safety consultants, and the establishment of dedicated phone lines for staff in the field to access immediate support.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of both our home health care workers and the individuals they serve is a top priority for the state,” Lamont said. I look forward to continued collaboration with our community partners to maximize the impact of these resources and increase the safety of home health care workers.”
The new grant program, Public Act 24-19, was a priority for many lawmakers this year, approving it by votes of 34 to 1 in the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, who said this program is in support of home care workers performing vital care for countless Connecticut residents. “They should be able to go to work without concerns over their own safety,” Looney said. “These workers enable many frail and elderly people to continue living in their own homes rather than in institutions and deserve our gratitude, support, and protection,” added Looney.
Republican state Senator Heather Somers (R-Groton), ranking member of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, said, “Home health care workers are the unsung heroes who provide essential care to our most vulnerable residents, often at great personal risk. They face numerous challenges, including the threat of violence, while performing their duties.”
The bill passed with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, 112 to 37.
Republican state Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria, ranking member of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, was happy with the bill’s passage. “Protecting home healthcare workers was a priority this session, and these funds and the increased and enhanced training and oversight will undoubtedly provide increased safety and peace of mind,” she said.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services will administer this grant program. “By investing in these safety measures, we are not only protecting our dedicated health care workers, but also ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality care in the safest possible environment,” Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said.
Home health and access agencies interested in applying for grants can begin submitting applications to the Connecticut Department of Social Services starting August 7, 2024. An online application form will be made available on that date at portal.ct.gov/dss/common-elements/home-and-community-based-services.
The application process is designed to ensure timely and efficient distribution of funds, allowing agencies to implement these crucial safety measures quickly. The first round of grants is anticipated to be released by the end of October.
–With Jay Domingo/PDM
